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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: smokenburn on January 20, 2017, 09:50:04 PM
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People have asked I start a thread regarding recording with an iPhone.
Some may think there may be issues, but It's not as scary as it seems. One good thing is you can adjust the settings so you have to hold down 'stop' for 3 seconds to stop recording, so you don't worry as much about pressing a tiny record button twice putting the recorder back in the bag. I'm using an Apogee Duet (iOS) interface which has very good preamps and DAC in one box. You would need to power that Duet with external power such as a Lenmar DVD battery. All the converting is performed in the Apogee Duet and the iPhone is essentially a bit bucket and DAW. The breakout cables are kind of a pita in the field or even used on a desk, but it's ok. You can purchase a breakout box which may make sense in the field but I haven't used one. Recently I've been using a Sonosax SX-M2 into the Duet (line level) and just using the Duet's converters. I like it. Apogee Metarecorder is a basic free software for iPhone and I use Auria for iPad.
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Forgive my ignorance , but what do you do for storage?
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I think all the Behringer mixers support iOS recording via USB - not sure about the phone though.
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Most of my stealth recordings are now done using an old iPhone 4s with 64GB of memory, and the Tascam iXJ2 IOS line-in device. It's a doddle to stealth basically.
I have some direct comparisons of using the iXJ2 and iPhone with the Sony PCM-M10 here:
https://soundcloud.com/quisquose/stealth-concert-recording-sony-pcm-m10-versus-iphone-tascam-ixj2-1
https://soundcloud.com/quisquose/stealth-concert-recording-sony-pcm-m10-versus-iphone-tascam-ixj2-ver-2
I'm looking to buy a proper XLR microphone soon, and when I do I will do some comparisons of wildlife recordings using my Sony PCM-D100 and the iPhone.
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Forgive my ignorance , but what do you do for storage?
The iPhone 6s has 64GB's storage. The iPad 3 only has 16 GB's which sucks. Considering 16GB's really means 12 and you have some apps that take up HD space you will need to transfer your files to an external drive frequently. Also, with Auria/iPad if you are within about 1GB storage remaining the software will pause and ask if you want to continue. So make sure you have 1-2GB's to spare minimum.
Also, you should set your iOS device to "Airplane Mode".
The Apogee Duet will charge the iOS device so you only need external power for the Duet.
I will post some pictures of the rig soon.
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Most of my stealth recordings are now done using an old iPhone 4s with 64GB of memory, and the Tascam iXJ2 IOS line-in device. It's a doddle to stealth basically.
Are there any newer alternatives available, since the IXJ2 is unavailable and outdated? Would be fun to try it out...
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Most of my stealth recordings are now done using an old iPhone 4s with 64GB of memory, and the Tascam iXJ2 IOS line-in device. It's a doddle to stealth basically.
Are there any newer alternatives available, since the IXJ2 is unavailable and outdated? Would be fun to try it out...
Not really anything as useful currently. But the iXJ2 is still easily available on eBay. I think I paid £28 for mine, so about $35. You can use it with a newer iPhone/iPod with an adapter but I prefer to use my old 4s, it's got 64gb it's smaller and the battery life is actually better than my 6s. I keep my 4s with no apps other than the Rode Rec App on it.
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Most of my stealth recordings are now done using an old iPhone 4s with 64GB of memory, and the Tascam iXJ2 IOS line-in device. It's a doddle to stealth basically.
Are there any newer alternatives available, since the IXJ2 is unavailable and outdated? Would be fun to try it out...
I have one for sale. Never used.
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I have the IXJ2 on iPhone 4 as well. I bought it new for $19 about 8 months ago. I've only used it a handful of times and not recently because I have a Tascam dr2d, but it was fine with CA-14. I prefer the Rode recorder app over the Tascam app. Its best use is for a quick soundboard patch when your main rig is too far from the board. I have a cheap usb battery pack that I keep hooked up the the iPhone during use. Super simple and probably easy to stealth with, though I don't stealth. Just remember its all kind of plastic, so I would possibly be concerned about the structural integrity of the 32 pin connection to the phone when in a pocket stealthing in a crowd. Though I have no knowledge of any structural problems.
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This thread seems like a reasonable place for my really desperate inquiry. I just received the new DPA MMA-A but am having trouble with finding iOS recording apps to run it on my cell phone. AudioShare does not seem to do seamless file auto splits, but runs to 4 GB and then can't save the file, stops and posts an error message. I also can't get it to run at 96 kH, it reverts to the default 48 kH. Does anyone know of any iOS app for the iPhone 6S which will split files and keep recording, and hopefully do 96 kH with the new DPA device?
Jeff
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I've used my Sound Devices Mixd Pre-D with my iphone using the digital out and the Apple camera cord. Recording into the Rode app. I haven't tested it extensively but it was working for me.
But i think a cheap Android device is the way to go. Cheaper and most have room for a MicroSD card.
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Android devices can't power a DPA MMA-A. The aim here is reduced footprint. A Mix Pre is way huger than an MMA-6000 and Sony D50 that I was using earlier.
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I use the Rode rec app.It only goes up to 48k though.Also I have only recorded short files so not sure about file breaks.
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What is the fascination with recording at 96 kHz? I suspect most are perfectly happy at 48 kHz, 24 bits.
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What is the fascination with recording at 96 kHz? I suspect most are perfectly happy at 48 kHz, 24 bits.
I use iZotope Rx to edit out audience noises, coughs, other distractions like sirens and buzzing and stomping conductors. The extra resolution seems to help with this surgery. Some friends with high end hifi setups also say they can hear the difference on raw files, I can't say I do.
By the way, DPA emailed me this morning to try Voice Recorder Pro, I downloaded Voice Recorder Pro 7 which promises unlimited time recording. It certainly enables the 24 bit 96 kH recording with the MMA-A. I am waiting to see if it does seamless file splits, if so I am good to go. It also enables wifi file transfer with your computer, as does AudioShare.
Jeff
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You got a link..? There are a few apps with that name... and many thx for doing the legwork. I am right there with ya, but I am Waiting for my mics to be terminated with microdots; should get them back soon. I am thinking of using my daughter's iPod touch, as it has more space and theoretically should be less noisy since it has no cellular stuff... the d:vice is pretty trick-can't wait to give it all a whirl...
What is the fascination with recording at 96 kHz? I suspect most are perfectly happy at 48 kHz, 24 bits.
I use iZotope Rx to edit out audience noises, coughs, other distractions like sirens and buzzing and stomping conductors. The extra resolution seems to help with this surgery. Some friends with high end hifi setups also say they can hear the difference on raw files, I can't say I do.
By the way, DPA emailed me this morning to try Voice Recorder Pro, I downloaded Voice Recorder Pro 7 which promises unlimited time recording. It certainly enables the 24 bit 96 kH recording with the MMA-A. I am waiting to see if it does seamless file splits, if so I am good to go. It also enables wifi file transfer with your computer, as does AudioShare.
Jeff
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You got a link..? There are a few apps with that name... and many thx for doing the legwork. I am right there with ya, but I am Waiting for my mics to be terminated with microdots; should get them back soon. I am thinking of using my daughter's iPod touch, as it has more space and theoretically should be less noisy since it has no cellular stuff... the d:vice is pretty trick-can't wait to give it all a whirl...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-record-pro-7/id810588885?mt=8 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voice-record-pro-7/id810588885?mt=8)
All the Voice Recorder Pro products seem to be about the same, only with different graphic interfaces (or so they claim). I am waiting to hear back from them on the seamless split issue, I recorded for 3-4 hours and the machine was running fine with no error messages. When I stopped the recording, only a 4 GB, 2 hour file shows up. But in my iPhone settings, it looks like 6 GB or so are taken. So the overrun beyond 2 hours is likely still around, I just have to figure out where and how to retrieve it.
Jeff
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For reasonably stealthy recordings on iOS phones, there's the Hooke Verse device, see http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172222.0
No, I don't have shares in the company!
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For reasonably stealthy recordings on iOS phones, there's the Hooke Verse device, see http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=172222.0
No, I don't have shares in the company!
Perhaps for some, but those honking big earpieces wouldn't constitute "reasonably stealthy" in any place I record.
Also. 16/44.1 is not 24/96. 96 kH might be overkill for some (not me), but 16 bit is lame unless you are sure you can nail levels consistently.
There is undoubtedly lots of marketing hype in the initial blurb on the d:vice MMA-A, but having used an MMA-6000 and lots of DPA mics (4006s in addition to the miniature lines), I have some confidence the claims, even if exaggerated, are not totally fictitious.
I'll look for classical acoustic samples using the Hooke setup that impress me before I try to figure out how I would need to explain wearing the gear.
Jeff
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In years gone by I would have been able to provide those classical samples in a heartbeat, but these days, sadly there's no immediate prospect. The stuff from the Hooke device online seems to never be quite the kind of test clip one would want.
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I received an email from DPA suggesting the Hindenburg app. It is priced at $29.99 and records to 24bit/48kHz.
Last update: 10/26/2016
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Audioshare will do 24/48 and also record to .caf files for unlimited time runs (I have done 9.5 hours with a ~9 GB file, Audacity will allow splitting this and exporting the pieces to .wav files). It is a lot cheaper than $29.99.
Voice Record Pro, as I mentioned, does 24/96 but cuts off at 4GB without a manual restart.
The problem I have is finding an app that will do 24/96 and unlimited (except by the phone's memory) time runs.
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I have had a couple of dpa folks suggest garage band but that seems like a lot of overhead for what we are doing.,,
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The RØDE Rec App records unlimited time 24-bit 48kHz caf files (up to 96kHz when paired with the RØDE iXY microphone).
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Thanks, I just looked at the i-store reviews and decided not to risk this, very scary stories of this and the light version locking up with newer phones and iOS versions (also, 96kH for Rode mics only?). For trial run with DPA MMA-A in two weeks I'll either have to go with AudioShare (at 48kH) or figure out a way to use Voice Record Pro and restart before the 4GB limit.
Jeff
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What is the fascination with recording at 96 kHz? I suspect most are perfectly happy at 48 kHz, 24 bits.
Doesn't higher resolution offset the lower quality? I have seen more 24 96 recordings made with internal mics and such on Dime than with professional quality gear :banging head: .
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FYI Garageband just released an update on November 1 that allows saving lossless files in 24/48.
Over time I'm going to play with Audioshare, as it's tap-tap-tap and you're in business. I now have an iPhone 7+ 256GB which should more than handle a basic mic > preamp feed of any sort. Shame I had to wait 15 years to get this far. But I don't miss the days of running DAT and sweating bullets for hours on end during warm summer festivals.
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Very interested in the D:vice, but how do I reterminate my pair of 4060's with micro dot connectors? Currently the pair ends in a single 1/8". Does anyone sell an adapter for this, or could someone here make me a cable or reterminate my mic pair?
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Send them to dpa in ...